The Chicago Quantum Exchange–led Bloch Quantum Tech Hub will be governed by a board that includes universities, colleges, companies, national labs, and economic development and manufacturing organizations — a structure designed to support diverse needs as The Bloch builds a domestic quantum supply chain. Federal law enforcement leaders will also serve as non-voting advisors as The Bloch builds security infrastructure.
The Bloch formally launched its efforts this fall, after winning a $30 million award from the U.S. Economic Development Administration in July. That award unlocked another $25 million in state and private sector commitments and positioned the Midwest as the center of quantum manufacturing.
The governance board — chaired by David Awschalom, the University of Chicago’s Liew Family Professor of Quantum Engineering and Physics, director of the CQE, and senior scientist at Argonne National Laboratory — includes:
- The University of Chicago/Chicago Quantum Exchange
- The Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP)
- Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC)
- Purdue Manufacturing Extension Partnership
- University of Wisconsin–Stout
- Infleqtion
- IBM
- IonQ
- Illinois Economic Development Corporation
- Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
- Argonne National Laboratory
- Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory
- Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
- One Region
- Purdue University Northwest
- FBI Chicago (threat advisory only; non-voting member)
- City Colleges of Chicago
The Bloch Quantum is leveraging the Midwest’s existing manufacturing capacity, talent, and industry base to overcome a major hurdle to US quantum growth — a reliance on foreign imports that slows innovation, creates security risks, and raises production costs. The EDA award funds four interconnected projects that will transition Midwest quantum companies to scaled manufacturing by providing tools and resources; provide existing manufacturers with the tools, expertise, and customer relationships to become part of a scaled domestic quantum supply chain; strengthen security for US quantum technologies and mobilize a projected $300 million in additional investments; and build a facility at the IQMP that will bring key players together, giving suppliers access to customers.
The Bloch will begin releasing requests for proposals (RFPs) from vendors and service providers later this week, beginning with one aimed at security professionals. All RFPs will be listed at chicagoquantum.org/bloch.